Surveillance camera and surveillance camera system

Abstract

A surveillance camera that transmits image data to a remote surveillance apparatus has an image capturing portion, an infrared receiver for receiving infrared signals from an infrared beacon disposed in each room, a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from a satellite positioning system, a picture combining portion for combining current position data contained in the infrared signal or the GPS signal with pictures obtained by the image capturing portion, a transmitter for transmitting combined signal of the current position data and image data to the surveillance apparatus, a memory for storing the optimal orientation data for the surveillance camera placed in a predetermined position, and a light-emitting unit for emitting light when the surveillance camera has the optimal orientation. The surveillance camera identifies the optimal orientation when the installation position of the surveillance camera is moved between different rooms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a surveillance camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera for transmitting image data to a remote surveillance apparatus. Also, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera system having such surveillance camera and such remote surveillance apparatus, in which image data taken with the surveillance camera is transmitted to the remote surveillance apparatus. [0003] 2. Background Information [0004] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-285585 discloses a surveillance camera that is to be disposed outdoors, wherein the installation position of the surveillance camera is identified by using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal transmitted from a satellite, and the installation position is output as position data together with pictures. When pictures and position data are received by a remote surveillance camera apparatus, the pi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] When the surveillance camera is to be installed in a predetermined installation position, the user can be informed that the surveillance camera is in an optimal orientation in the predetermined installation position. In other words, when the surveillance camera is installed in the optimal position and orientation for obtaining the best view, the user is notified of it through the indicator that, for instance, emits light. Thus, the user does not check the screen on the surveillance apparatus to adjust the orientation of the surveillance camera, and the surveillance camera can be easily disposed in the position and orientation that enable the best view in the room.

[0015] With this surveillance camera, the infrared signal for transmitting current position data is used to enable a theft prevention procedure, which allows a theft signal to be transmitted to the surveillance apparatus as a theft prevention alarm. Therefore, a theft prevention function can be easily included.

[0019] With this surveillance camera, the GPS signal for transmitting current position data is used to enable a theft signal to be transmitted to the surveillance apparatus as a theft prevention alarm. Therefore, a theft prevention function can be easily included.

Problems solved by technology

When the surveillance cameras need to be installed indoors, however, a GPS signal cannot be received.

Therefore, the installation position cannot be identified using a GPS signal.

For instance, when the surveillance camera is moved from one indoor room to another it is impossible to identify the room in which the surveillance camera is installed, since a GPS signal cannot be received by the surveillance camera.

Thus, it is difficult to accurately identify the installation position of the surveillance camera.

Also, when it is necessary to distinguish between rooms on different floors, it is even more difficult to determine the installation position.

Images